Joining me now is the Democratic Tennessee State Representative Justin Zone Jones. Representative Jones, great to see you. Thank you for being with us this morning.>> Good to see you, brother. >> I I wanted to talk to you about this because I I think there were so many narratives to take away from from Tuesday night about people really showing up, really taking the assignment, fighting for democracy, and fighting for the things that really matter to them. But there was something else there.There was a story ...

Racial Justice and Mapping - Maps have historically been used to establish and perpetuate racism, and continue to pose risks to communities of color if race is not considered [3][4][5] - Organizations should prioritize conversations about race and racial equity in their work to ensure the safety, health, and prosperity of every community [7] - Colonizers used maps to exploit Africa's resources and enslave its people, highlighting the historical misuse of maps for oppression [9][10][15] - Redlining practices in the US, supported by racist maps, led to segregation and limited opportunities for Black communities [19][20][21] - During disasters like Hurricane Katrina, racial disparities were evident, with Black people disproportionately affected [22][23][24] - Colorblind maps during the COVID-19 pandemic failed to address racial disparities, but some organizations used maps to highlight these inequalities, revealing that Black people were two to six times more likely to die [24][25][26] Action and Change - Change requires action, not just time, in the fight against racism and other systems of oppression [32] - When creating and using maps, it is crucial to involve Black people and other marginalized groups in the process [34] - Maps and policies should be designed to advance racial justice from the beginning, not as an afterthought [34] - The Northstar of GIS promotes mapping practices rooted in racial justice and highlights the work of the melanated and mapping community [30][31]

Book Overview - "This Is My America" explores systemic racism within the legal system through the story of Tracy's family, where both her father and brother are wrongfully accused of murder [3][4] - The novel balances Tracy's personal life as a teenager with her activism and fight for justice for her family [5][6] - The book is part of a new literary canon that explores racism in America through the eyes of normal teenagers, alongside books like "The Hate You Give" and "Dear Martin" [7][8] Themes and Issues - The book emphasizes the importance and strength of family in the face of injustice [13][14] - It addresses the power of media, both positive and negative, in shaping narratives about Black people and their interactions with the law [15][16] - The author draws inspiration from Bryan Stevenson's work on justice and due process, highlighting the historical context of racial injustice in America [18][19] Author's Perspective - The author aimed to humanize young people by showing the dichotomy between serious issues and everyday teenage concerns [12] - The author criticizes the tendency to reduce Black individuals to bodies harmed, rather than recognizing their full humanity and stories [25] - The author highlights the importance of telling complete stories about Black people and their experiences with the legal system [16]